Biodegradable decorative item and method of use

ABSTRACT

A decorative item for decorating a gravesite includes a body being composed of a paper material; the paper material is composed of materials having a characteristic of decomposing when wet; and the paper material completely decomposes, thereby leaving no visible remnants.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to decoration systems for gravesites, and more specifically, to a customizable and biodegradable decorative item for use in decorating a gravesite.

2. Description of Related Art

Decoration systems for use in a gravesite are well known in the art and are effective means to provide mementos and memories of past on loved ones. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional decorative system 101 having one or more decorative items 103, 105 placed at a gravesite 107.

In FIG. 2, a flowchart 201 depicts a method associated with system 101. During use, an item is placed at the gravesite and left there indefinitely, as shown with boxes 203, 205. These items commonly remain at the site for long periods of time until they begin to fall apart, thereby leaving litter at the site, as shown with box 207. Alternatively, some cemeteries provide custodial services to clean up these items, as shown with box 207.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is the creation of litter or the need for a custodial cleaning service. Therefore, it is desirable to have a decorative memento to leave at a site while knowing that the memento will not result in extra work for a custodial service or cause litter at the site.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of decoration systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified oblique view of a common decorative system for gravesites;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method associated with FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C are simplified oblique views of a biodegradable decorative system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method associated with FIGS. 3A and 3B; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing the biodegradable decorative item of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional decoration systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a means to decorate a gravesite without causing litter. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 3 depicts a simplified oblique view of a biodegradable decoration system 301 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 301 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional decoration systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 301 includes one or more biodegradable decorative items 303, 305, 307 placed at a gravesite 309. Decorative items 303, 305, 307 are composed of a highly biodegradable paper material, having the quality of decomposing when wet. As shown with FIGS. 3B and 3C, the items are specially adapted to fully decompose after one rain (indicated with the plurality of arrows A). It must be understood that the items completely decompose, thereby not littering the area with visible remnants. This feature is achieved after one full rain (more than a mere light shower).

It should be appreciated that the decorative items 303, 305, 307 can include any body configuration, including but not limited to, a flower body, a card body, a sporting memento body (such as a football), an animal body (such as a paper horse), or any other such shape that could hold a memory or a meaning to the individual leaving the item. In addition, it should be appreciated that the composition of the decorative items allows for an individual to write on the item (as shown with item 305), thereby leaving a message at the gravesite.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of a highly biodegradable paper material to create mementos to leave at a gravesite.

In FIG. 4, a flowchart depicts a method associated with system 301. An individual selects an appropriate decorative item that holds a memory or meaning to the individual or the loved one of the gravesite, as shown with box 403. The individual can leave the item at the gravesite without returning later to collect the item, as shown with box 405. Upon the area receiving rainfall, the item will decompose, without leaving remnants and litter around the site, as shown with box 407, and 409.

In FIG. 5, a flowchart 501 depicts a method of manufacturing a decorative item associated with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, a customer is provided with a database and/or selection having a plurality of decorative items for the customer to choose from, as shown with box 503. It is contemplated that the plurality of decorative items can include flags, cards, flowers, and other mementos. The customer can then select which item they wish to purchase, wherein the customer is provided with a plurality of customization choices, as shown with box 505. Some customization options include color of the item, size of the item, writing of messages on the item, scent of the item, or any other types of customization that can be implemented into a paper product.

The customer is to provide one or more selections of customization, as shown with box 507. The customized choices are implemented when creating the decorative item, as shown with boxes 509, 511. The customer can then be provided with the customized, biodegradable decorative item to place at the gravesite of their loved one, as shown with box 513. It must be understood that all of the plurality of decorative items associated with this manufacturing method are made from a biodegradable paper configured to decompose upon being rained on.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative item for decorating a gravesite, the decorative item comprising: a body being composed of a paper material; wherein the paper material is composed of materials having a characteristic of decompose when wet; and wherein the paper material completely decomposes, thereby leaving no visible remnants.
 2. The decorative item of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a flag; and a flagpole attached to the flag and configured to hold the flag in an upright position.
 3. The decorative item of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a card.
 4. The decorative item of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a sporting ball shape.
 5. The decorative item of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: an animal shape.
 6. A method of manufacturing a decorative item, the method comprising: providing an online database having a plurality of decorative items, wherein each of the decorative items has a unique shape; providing a customization selection associated with each of the decorative items, wherein a customer can select a plurality of features to be incorporated into the decorative item; receiving one or more selections from the customer associated with the plurality of features; implementing the one or more selection to fully customize one of the plurality of decorative items; and creating the one of the plurality of decorative items out of biodegradable paper material, incorporating the one or more selections into the decorative item to create a customized biodegradable decorative item; wherein the customized biodegradable decorative item is configured to dissolve when it becomes wet with water.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of decorative items include a flag; a card; and a flower.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the customization selection includes a color and a written message.
 9. A method of decorating a gravesite, the method comprising: providing the decorative item of claim 1; customizing the decorative item with one or more features; and placing the decorative item at the gravesite; wherein the decorative item is configured to dissolve when it rains at the gravesite.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the body of the decorative item is a flag.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the body of the decorative item is a flower.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the body of the decorative item is a card. 